The Victorian Government is powering ahead to reduce emissions, with all water corporations on track to be powered with 100 per cent renewable electricity by the end of this year.
Minister for Water Gayle Tierney announced all 18 of Victoria’s water corporations are on schedule to meet their target to source all of their electricity from renewable sources by the end of 2025.
“Our water sector is leading the way towards a cleaner future, showing consumers and industry that we can tackle climate change and boost renewable energy use as our population grows,” she said.
Water corporations have also set a target to reduce their emissions to net-zero by 2035 – more than half of them have brought that target forward, aiming to reach net-zero by 2030.
The shift to powering operations with renewable electricity has seen water corporations reduce their emissions by 42 per cent, the equivalent of removing around 136,000 cars off Victoria’s roads.
“It is pleasing to see all our water corporations are on track to power all of their operations with renewable electricity this year – a major step towards achieving net-zero by 2035,” Tierney said.
Investments in renewable energy will help lower power bills for water corporations, allowing them to continue delivering affordable water and sewer services to the community.
Water corporations have invested in significant renewable energy projects within the water sector, including the Nhill renewable energy facility, which produces enough electricity to cover 70 per cent of the total electricity used at all of Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water’s 330 sites.
“Thanks to our investment in renewable energy, Victoria has the lowest energy prices in the market, supporting Government agencies, local businesses and families cut their energy bills,” Minister for Climate Action Lily D’Ambrosio said.
Collaboration has also allowed water corporations to purchase renewable electricity at a cheaper cost. Zero Emissions Water, a collective of 12 water corporations, purchases up to 7,000 MWh of renewable electricity from the Kiamal Solar Farm at a rate lower than what would be available independently.
The changes are being implemented in conjunction with the recent announcement that the State Electricity Commission (SEC) has signed retail contracts to supply all Victorian Government operations with affordable, renewable electricity.
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